“What we are talking about is a rapid reaction force of 100,000 or 80,000 capability, which should replace American forces,” if and when they reduce their presence in Europe, he said. “That’s why I started to use much more this terminology of rapid reaction force, in order not to make this misleading connection with the European army.”
However, he acknowledged that even such a force would face difficulties as it would be controlled by member countries, making rapid and coherent action very difficult. He did not address whether such a European force would be part of NATO, although he did underline that Europe should continue to rely on the alliance.
To get around the problem of leadership, Kubilius suggested creating a European Security Council, made up of five or six big EU countries, possibly plus the U.K, as well as smaller EU countries on a rotating basis and the Council and the European Commission.
Such a body “may be the answer” to the leadership issue, he said.